Library / English Dictionary

CONSTITUTE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Set up or lay the groundwork for

Example:

establish a new department

Synonyms:

constitute; establish; found; institute; plant

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "constitute" is one way to...):

initiate; pioneer (take the lead or initiative in; participate in the development of)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "constitute"):

fix (set or place definitely)

appoint; constitute; name; nominate (create and charge with a task or function)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

constitution (the act of forming or establishing something)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Create and charge with a task or function

Example:

nominate a committee

Synonyms:

appoint; constitute; name; nominate

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Hypernyms (to "constitute" is one way to...):

constitute; establish; found; institute; plant (set up or lay the groundwork for)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "constitute"):

pack (set up a committee or legislative body with one's own supporters so as to influence the outcome)

co-opt (appoint summarily or commandeer)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sense 3

Meaning:

Form or compose

Example:

These few men comprise his entire army

Synonyms:

be; comprise; constitute; make up; represent

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "constitute"):

make (constitute the essence of)

compose (form the substance of)

constitute; form; make (to compose or represent)

range; straddle (range or extend over; occupy a certain area)

fall into; fall under (be included in or classified as)

pose; present (introduce)

supplement (serve as a supplement to)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Derivation:

constituent (constitutional in the structure of something (especially your physical makeup))

Sense 4

Meaning:

To compose or represent

Example:

This makes a fine introduction

Synonyms:

constitute; form; make

Classified under:

Verbs of being, having, spatial relations

Hypernyms (to "constitute" is one way to...):

be; comprise; constitute; make up; represent (form or compose)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "constitute"):

chelate (form a chelate, in chemistry)

add (constitute an addition)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Derivation:

constituent (an artifact that is one of the individual parts of which a composite entity is made up; especially a part that can be separated from or attached to a system)

constitution (the way in which someone or something is composed)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Chemokines constitute a superfamily of small (8-10 kDa), inducible, secreted, pro-inflammatory cytokines that are involved in a variety of immune and inflammatory responses as well as in viral infection.

(Chemokine, NCI Thesaurus)

The signet-ring cells constitute more than fifty-percent of the malignant cells.

(Appendix Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma, NCI Thesaurus)

The glandular portion of the salivary system whose combined secretions constitute the saliva; a clear, alkaline, somewhat viscus secretion that keeps the mouth moist and aids in swallowing and digesting food.

(Acinar Salivary Gland System, NCI Thesaurus)

These two responses constitute the basis of the hypovolemic shock and multi-organ failure that sepsis patients develop, culminating in their death.

(New study sheds fresh light on the genetic mechanisms involved in sepsis, the leading cause of death in ICUs, University of Granada)

The MRP1 Protein constitutes a multidrug resistance-associated plasma membrane drug-efflux pump, detectable in lung, testis, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

(ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family C, Member 1, NCI Thesaurus)

I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

Constituting or relating to a tail; situated near the tail.

(Caudal, NCI Thesaurus)

Cardiac manifestations constitute CARCINOID HEART DISEASE.

(Carcinoid syndrome, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

The fundamental nutritional components that constitute an organism's daily intake of foodstuffs.

(Basal Diet, NCI Thesaurus)

Constituting a separate entity or part.

(Discrete, NCI Thesaurus)